Concentrating mainly but not exclusively on the Loire's vineyards, its vignerons and their wines along with places to eat and stay. Also covers some recently published wine books – not just from Loire. Regional Chair for Loire @Decanter's World Wine Awards since its inception.
Winner of the 2009 Wine Blog Trophy (journalist category) Salon des Vins de Loire. I have a large and expanding library of photos, particularly from the Loire – places, producers, vineyards etc. European.

2012:Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award

Saturday, 14 November 2015

My thoughts are in France today

Last night I followed the shootings in Paris in horror and disbelief – the daily violence in Syria and other parts of the Middle East coming to a major European capital. It would seem that the attacks were carefully co-ordinated with the intention of killing indiscriminately as many people as possible. 129 is latest total with at least 99 critically injured.

My thoughts are with the families of those killed, the injured and with the French people. I am relieved that many friends have marked themselves as safe on Facebook.

Although it is too early to know who the attackers were, it does appear likely that they are linked with Islamist groups in the Middle East. François Hollande has now blamed the Islamic State.

If these murders spread further division in France then the attackers will have won. Already on Twitter attacks on Muslims have intensified, despite the attacks being widely condemned by the Muslim world. Furthermore, given the indiscriminate shooting, it is well possible that there are Muslims amongst the the dead and wounded.

This is a brutal lesson that The West has to help to bring peace to Syria and other parts of the Middle East and be careful not to make things worse.

Picture use

Unless otherwise stated all photos on this site are copyrighted – Jim Budd. They should not be used without authorisation and due credit.
Please contact me on budmac@btinternet.com for all use. There will usually be a charge for use in commercial publications – papers, magazines, websites etc. and for other commercial uses.
Photos that are used for commercial use without permission will be charged double – the fee for the use of photo and for breach of copyright.
Commercial organisations asking to use photos for no payment may not always receive a polite response.